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The Best US Airports For Beer Snobs

The quality of economy air travel deteriorates every year, bar one glimmering area where things’ve actually improved: airport watering holes. No longer forced to settle in with a can of Coors Light, today’s travelers have access to local breweries that’ve set up camp to pour craft suds — one even doing the brewing on-site. We check out the eight best airports in the country for the discerning (and delayed) beer fan.

Tip: Desperate for a layover brew but trapped in Terminals A West, D, or E? Catch an Iggles game and down crab fries at Chickie’s & Pete’s, which opened its first PHL location in 2007. Bring on the Dogfish Head, Ommegang, and Flying Dog.

6. Tampa International Airport — Terminals C and F
In 2012, Tampa-based Cigar City Brewing opened a pub at Terminal C, becoming the only spot in the country where beer’s actually brewed onsite at an airport. Imbibers can also visit the Sam Adams carry-out kiosk eight gates away, and the Stella Artois Bar at Terminal F, where they pour — you guessed it — Hoegaarden. Well, along with Stella.

Tip: Try the “Tony Jannus Pale Ale” at CCB; it pays homage to the first commercial pilot who flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa in 1914.

3. Logan International Airport — Terminals A, B, C, and E
As you would imagine from the city that brews Sam Adams and Harpoon, your local craft beer needs’ll be covered. Hit popular area brewer Beer Works (C) and sip from ten different suds including “Back Bay IPA”, “Beantown Nut Brown Ale”, and “Boston Garden Golden”. In Terminals B or E? Nantucket-based Cisco Brew Pub’s your go-to. And the Harpoon Tap Room serves nine hop-heavy IPAs, old-style ales, and rich stouts by the flight in A.

Tip: If you’re scurred of flying, Harpoon Brewery’s English-style Bronze King and American hop-centric Harpoon Leviathan IPA both boast a burly 10% ABV.

Tip: If your love of beer extends beyond just drinking it, make time for Local Brew Beer Gear between all the above suggestions; it’s a beer-themed gift shop peddling local apparel, glasses, hats, and whatever else you can think of to slap a brewery logo on.

1. San Diego International Airport— Terminal 2
Not surprisingly, the Craft Beer Capital of America‘s also home to one of the best beer airports, complete with 12 bars. Terminal 2 is especially brew-focused, with two locations of Stone Brewing Co. pouring over a dozen drafts, a full flight menu, and assortment of suds-infused sustenance; meanwhile, the Urban Crave rocks almost 20 brews and, for the beer enthusiast on a budget, a PBR Tallboy in a brown paper bag (should you have no interest in appearing upgrade-worthy).

Tip: If you’re stuck in Terminal 1, Craft Brews on 30th Street has a Green Flash Pale Ale — a fragrant and spicy brew — created especially for the airport.